Laos Rescuers Prepare Dive for 7 Trapped Miners as Flooded Cave Water Recedes

9 articles · Updated · RTÉ News · May 27

Seven villagers trapped for a week in a flooded cave in central Xaysomboun could face a final search dive on May 27 if safety conditions hold, diver Mikko Paasi said.
Water levels had dropped considerably after days of pumping, improving access to the last chamber where rescuers believe the group is stranded about 300 meters from the exit.
The miners entered the abandoned gold mine on May 20 to search for gold before heavy rain triggered flash flooding that sealed the remote cave's narrow, multi-level passages.
Paasi said the route remains hazardous, with constant restrictions, floodwater, collapse risks and potentially contaminated air, though rescuers still hope the seven survived with supplies underground.

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